Purpose: To investigate the expression and significance of NEK2 and EMT-related molecules in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC).
Methods: The expression levels of NEK2 and EMT-related molecules (E-Cadherin, N-Cadherin, Vimentin) in 60 cases of primary OSCC tissues and normal oral mucosa tissues were detected by immunohistochemistry(IHC). NEK2 mRNA expression in 25 OSCC tissues and 10 normal oral mucosa tissues was detected by qRT-PCR. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS 26.0 software package.
Results: The expression of NEK2, N-Cadherin, and Vimentin increased in OSCC tissues, while the expression of E-Cadherin decreased(P＜0.05). The worse the differentiation, the higher the expression of NEK2 and the lower the expression of E-Cadherin(P＜0.05).
Conclusions: NEK2 can be used as a prognostic marker for OSCC. The up-regulation of NEK2 and the changes in the expression levels of EMT related molecules can promote the occurrence and development of OSCC.